Defense shines in scrimmage

UNLV's defense made touchdowns or big plays of any kind difficult to come by in today's football scrimmage at Rebel Park.

Junior defensive end James Dunlap recorded two sacks, sophomore defensive end Beau Brence had a sack, senior cornerback Quinton Pointer and senior linebacker Ronnie Paulo recovered fumbles, and senior linebacker Starr Fuimaono and junior cornerback Deante Purvis broke up passes.

“We haven’t had a lot of live work like that, so it should be more physical today in terms of the defense tackling and all that,” coach Bobby Hauck said. “They did a nice job. It was good to see them because frankly this time in spring, they should probably be a little bit ahead.”

SITTING OUT

Several players did not participate because of various injuries, including junior wide receiver Phillip Payne, junior tight end Kyle Watkins, sophomore guard Jason Heath, senior wide receiver Tate Knutson and sophomore tailback Imari Thompson.

Hauck didn’t specify what the injuries were, but said none were serious, and he expected them all back when practices resume April 5 after a week off for spring break.

“Everybody on this team knows that if you aren’t out there, you’re sliding down the depth (chart),” Hauck said. “So they’ve got to get well.”

Another player was injured in the scrimmage — redshirt freshman safety Courtney Bridget. Hauck said he didn’t know the specifics.

CATCHING ON

Sophomore wide receiver Trey Mays, a Bishop Gorman High School graduate, has made some nice plays this spring, and had his moments in the scrimmage.

Mays caught a 41-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Mike Clausen and a 23-yard scoring pass from redshirt freshman QB Caleb Herring.

BY THE NUMBERS

Playing for the first-team offense against the starting defense, senior quarterback Omar Clayton completed 5 of 12 passes for 41 yards and a touchdown. Junior quarterback Mike Clausen, playing with the second-teamers, was 5 of 11 for 90 and two touchdowns. Redshirt freshman QB Caleb Herring, working with the third team, completed 10 of 13 passes for 76 yards and two TDs.

On the rushing side, senior tailback Channing Trotter gained 77 yards on 17 carries, redshirt freshman Bradley Randle had 56 yards on 11 attempts, and junior C.J. Cox totaled 34 yards on seven rushes.